War Journals

Art of War 3 – The War Journal – Resistance, Part 5

05 August, Sunday 03:20 In the movies we sometimes used to watch as wide-eyed kids, when spies or commandos infiltrate some top-secret government facility, they always seemed to know exactly where to go. No matter the size of the facility, they would always coolly crush all opposition, find their target and do their thing in a matter of minutes. And then, they would be home on time before their supper gets cold. Well, life is far more complicated than movies, I can tell you that. The “Shroud” may not be as large as those set-ups in the movies, but it…

The War Journal – Confederation, Part 4

04 August, Friday 03:15 I knew it! I just knew that something was brewing in that big, dumb, bovine head of his for a while now! And with all the excitement because I’ll finally clear my name from that unfortunate episode in Tey Cuare, I completely forgot about Major John Tusk of the Iron Brigade. But he, apparently, haven’t forgotten about me. I’ll admit it straight away as an officer and a gentleman: it’s my bad. If there’s one sin that I was guilty of, it was the sin of pride. And in my great pride, I’ve underestimated my enemy.…

Art of War 3 – The War Journal – Resistance, Part 4

04 August, Saturday 13:00 So far so good. It seems that we’ve managed to bolt from that blasted battlefield more or less in one piece. As for escaping completely…well that’s a whole different ball game, the one we’ve played with the Confederation many times. Just for the record, I know that turning your back to the enemy is probably the most asinine thing you can do in any combat situation. That’s one of the first lessons military textbooks teach us, and for those who don’t pay attention, it often proves to be the last. I’m not what you would exactly…

Art of War 3 – The War Journal – Confederation, Part 3

28 July, Saturday 18:25 I have to admit that I had a hard time recovering from the battle with the Resistance. Not that I’m getting sentimental on anything like that – this is war, after all, and undue sappiness is the thing that will likely get you killed. And although everything the Brigade did stubbornly refused to get out of my head no matter how much I’ve tried, I was actually bursting with the feeling of pure excitement. Yes, that’s right. The thought of what a capable commander such as myself could do with a fighting force like the Brigade…

Art of War 3 – The War Journal – Resistance, Part 3

30 July, Monday 06:30 When I was a kid, growing up in the slums of Petare, my father used to tell me that pain is good. That it’s the only thing that truly makes us alive. Well, if that’s really the case, I haven’t felt this alive for a long time. My head is killing me since one of Rodriguez’s bastards bashed me with the butt of his rifle. No less painful is the revelation what kind of man my compadre Rodriguez actually was. A war hero, a decorated colonel of the Resistance was, in fact, a spy and a…

ART OF WAR 3 – THE WAR JOURNAL – CONFEDERATION, PART 2

23 July, Monday 11:30 Funny how soldier’s luck is a finicky thing. A few days ago, I was under an investigation, practically a step away from court-martial. Not that I expected a triumphant welcome worthy of a Roman general, with a parade, crowds shouting my name, and statues made in my image. But I hoped at least for some recognition of my military prowess. Instead, I got endless inquiries, revisions, and pointless Senate hearings. They accused me that I intentionally sabotaged our war effort. I’ve tried to make them understand, convince them why my decisions were logical and necessary. I…

ART OF WAR 3 – WAR JOURNAL – RESISTANCE, PART 2

25 July, Wednesday 11.35 I was relieved when we got out of that damn jungle at last. So many of our guys had left their bones there during our recent clash with the Confederation that I sincerely hope we’ll be allowed a small breather. Once I believed that no price was too high to pay for supporting our cause. Now…now I’m not so sure about that anymore. Unfortunately, we were allowed to keep only some of the vehicles – the rest of the cavalry was left behind at the river. We’re to meet with a part of our forces and…

ART OF WAR 3 – THE WAR JOURNAL (CONFEDERATION)

Last week I’ve told you all about my recent Art of War 3 obsession and how I’ve found a convenient way to channel it through my war journals. Well, let me introduce you to another one of my Art of War 3 alter egos, the remarkable and cunning Confederation General Ulysses Brine. As it happens, his war journal relates the same events as the one of General Zhukov, just obviously from the perspective of Confederation commanding officer, so you’ll also get to see their side of the story. Now, you’ll doubtlessly notice the striking contrast between these two characters. So much, in…

ART OF WAR 3 – THE WAR JOURNAL (RESISTANCE)

Oh well, sooner or later it was bound to happen. Lately, I’ve been experiencing some…how would you call it?…displacements, yep that’s the right word. For instance, as soon as I’d step on the street, I’d start thinking what would be the best way to secure perimeter, where I would deploy my units, what is the best position for the base, where resource containers might be hidden, things like that. Everything strictly theoretically, of course. Or I would sit in my car and I’d start looking for the tank scope to calibrate the cannon… Only, last time I’ve checked, there’s no…